Efficacy of molecular method in detecting asymptomatic parasitic reservoirs of Malaria

Malaria Elimination Program Has Launched with the Technical Support from The World Health Organization Since 2007 in Iran. In Order to Achieve The Elimination of Malaria, All Positive Cases Should Be Diagnosed and Treated Promptly, Especially Asymptomatic and Low Parasitic cases. This Study Was Conducted to Determine The Effectiveness of The Molecular Method in The Detection of Asymptomatic Malaria Cases towards the successful Malaria Elimination Program in Iran.

In This Descriptive-analytical Study, 210 Samples Were Randomly Collected from Residents of High Risk malarious Areas of Hormozgan Province. The Rate of Asymptomatic Plasmodium Infection Was Evaluated Using Microscopic, RDT, and Nested-PCR Techniques (using18 ssrRNA).

According to The Results, No Positive Asymptomatic Cases Were Observed with The Microscopic and RDT Methods, But by Using The Molecular Method, Three Positive Cases (1.4%) Were Detected.

The Results of This Study Showed That The sensitivity of molecular methods to detect asymptomatic parasitic reserviors is higher than other diagnostic methods and Nested-PCR is a good technique for detecting asymptomatic cases of malaria, therefore Use of a Sensitive Molecular Techniques With Wicroscopic and RDT Methods Is Necessary for The Detection of Asymptomatic Malaria Cases.